bandfan1

Hi Julie: my overall cholesterol is not over 200, but my hdl is very low. My doc decided to hold off putting me on meds since I am having the surgery. He feels that it will correct itself once I get the lbs off and start exercising!!! Welcome to the "band-wagon"!! Keep us posted with your progress!!! :redface::thumbup::tongue::thumbup:

Thanks for the tip kcintx. I have 100 to lose and I know that it will not happen overnight. I kinda hoped that my surgeon required a pre-op diet, but mine doesn't. I am still going to try it, but it would be mentally easier for me if I was following doctor's orders...... I am looking forward to May 1st. Taking a vacation from the 13 - 21st of April. Will try to be "good" when I am down there and do the strict liquids when I return.... Good luck!!!! :redface:

Angie: Your progress is amazing!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I am in awe at all of your progress!!! I am getting banded on May 1st and it almost seems surreal that I am finally going to have the tool that I need to manage my weight!!! My weight has occupied way too much of my time and emotion over that last 40 yrs. It's time to live now!!! I hope that I have as much success as you all have had. Congratulations on your victories and keep up the AWESOME work!!! :huh2:

Wow!!! Great photo's Livingthedream!!!! YOu must feel great!! People must be noticing by now too!! I am scheduled for May 1st and looking back to see everyone's progress. I am very impressed with all of the successes here!!!:huh2:

60 lbs in 2 months is AMAZING!!! Are you a guy? I know that guys lose quicker that "girls"...... I would be very happy with that kind of success. Keep up the great work!!!!:huh2:

Don't be so hard on yourself!!! You will soon be getting the tool that will help you with that problem!! A salad is not such a bad choice!! You could have chosen a McDonalds shake!!! Give yourself credit!!! :huh2: My surgeon doesn't even require a pre-op diet, but I am trying to do at least a couple of protein shakes per day. He smirked at me when he saw that I had gained 5lbs... They ALL know that many of us are going to eat like it is our last meal at EVERY meal!!!! Let's face it, I know I am addicted to food..... "Guilt is the gift that keeps on giving"!!! Let the past go and focus forward!!!

EricaLyn: You should stay in close contact with your Endocrinologist. If you have to, fax your numbers to him so he can monitor and adjust the meds accordingly. If you are like me, the goal is to be OFF the meds for good!!!!

Dee: I live in Bridgeport, but my surgery is in New Haven (insurance)..... I would imagine that going 2 weeks with the equivalent of only 1 slimfast per day would make your body go into starvation mode somewhat. That is probably why you are not seeing dramatic weight loss. Your body has to get used to the new intake of food and make adjustments accordingly. I KNOW that my body will be fighting like heck for some food, but I am going to follow doctor's orders!!! I am quite sure that I will get very impatient when I hit a plateau....that is the reason I am overweight to begin with.....always looking for instant gratification. It's time to start learning new habits!!!! My surgeon gave me the ok to use Herbalife instead of slimfast. It is soooo much tastier and more satisfying!!! Herbalife also sells protein products. I know that Sharon was looking for more protein...check out their website!! I know a distributor if you want to order...... Keep us updated!!

EricaLyn, Congratulations!!! I am scheduled for May 1st...right around the corner!! I am very excited.. I went to my pre-op testing today and that really made it seem very "real"!! Good luck with everything and keep us posted!! :thumbup::thumbup::crying::thumbup:

I asked my surgeon about MRSA. He said that I have nothing to worry about. He said that it is much more common in people who come into the hospital with open wounds. I went to the hospital today for pre-admission testing: EKG, blood, BP, pulse and a thousand questions!! They said it would take about 3 hours, but it only took about 2 and most of that time was spent waiting!!!! 22 days!!! I can't wait!!!!!

My family were the LAST to know about this!! My friends are much more supportive.... Sometimes I wonder if my family even cares :redface: Anyway, when I did start telling them (only a select few...I have 8 siblings), they were pretty receptive. Of course none of them offered to come and help me while I am down.... My friends are my lifeline!!!!!! :scared2: Bottom line is that you have to get the support from the people that you know that you can depend on. Don't let anybody try to change your mind or talk you out of it....... I have already had a couple of people say "Are you sure that you want to do this"?.... I scratched them right off of my list!! Have a great day everyone!!!!!

Mae: I got my approval from Anthem in 2 days!!! I couldn't believe it!! I am scheduled for May 1st. I can't wait!! I need it too!!! Good luck with everything!!!

I have all of my information turned in to the doctor....psych eval, nutritionist, doctor referral, cardiologist, pulmonologist!! I went for the first infor seminar which they won't call you in for until they have received ALL of your documentation. They said that they would dictate the letter to the insurance company that day, so it should have gone out last Thursday. Now I am just waiting for Anthem approval!!! I am going on vacation April 13 - 21, so I want to wait til after that to have the procedure!! I am soooooooo ready to get this going!!!! Hopefully I will be posting here again real soon when I get the approval!!!!! :crying:

Hi Dee: How's everything going with you? Were you starving by the time you went for your 2 week post-op visit? My doctor warned me that there will be about 4 days before I see him when I will be really hungry!!! :drool: Your "fill" is the same date as my surgery!! Let us know how you are doing!! I love to hear everyone's story!!!:frown:

I can't imagine that it would lose any of the beneficial ingredients. The only thing that you should be concerned about is how you swallow it. I'm thinking maybe you should let it melt completely in your mouth first and then swallow. I went for my pre-op appt. yesterday and the doctor specifically told me that when I am on clear liquids, NO JELLO!!! I know that every doc is different, but based on what my doc said, I am going to stick with his rules. I am definitely NOT going to listen to my body. That is how I got to be 100lbs overweight!!!! :frown: Good luck!!!

Congratulations "awomangodcanuse"!!! Have you gone to any pre-op appts? I went to one yesterday with my surgeon. Tomorrow I have to go to see the anesthesiologist. I am told that it is a 3 hr. appt!!! I leave to go on vacation on Sunday (no computer :drool:), so I will be out of touch until the 21st when I return. I am sure that my emotions will be changing from sheer excitement and anticipation to fear!!! I have been through other abdominal surgeries, so I'm sure I'll be fine. I will warn the O.R. staff that I will be hyperventilating until I go under!!!! Keep us posted on your progress!!! We both have the exact same amt. of weight to lose too :frown:.

Mae: I'm sorry to hear about your Mom being in hospice. I went through it last year with my Mom. It is a difficult journey, but hang in there. Bad night last night with my CPAP machine :thumbs_up: I am tired and cranky now!!!! I'm putting in a call in to the tech today. I felt like I could not catch my breath!!! I'll feel better after I have my coffee:rolleyes2:

I am taking Byetta, but it does not stave off my hunger AT ALL!!! It figures!!!!! :Dancing_wub: Anyway, I am hoping that the banding procedure will eliminate the need for Byetta in the future!!

I kept the device on all night and boy do I feel a difference today!!! Wow, I am so excited that I will have more energy. Everything is moving in the right direction for me. My pre-op visit is today, so this will really make it sink in!!! I CAN'T WAIT for the new me!!!!! :Dancing_wub::thumbup::thumbup::drool:

I am a type 2 diabetic. My sugar usually doesn't go over 160. The reason that I am getting banded is to eliminate my diabetes altogether. I have no problem testing my blood, but putting all of those meds in my body (Byetta & Metformin) is not for me!!! I also have sleep apnea which I am sure is due to my weight. I started using the CPAP machine and I finally feel rested!!! I am hoping that I can get off of that machine too!! I'm 46 yrs old and I feel like I am way too young for this. My weight has been a problem all of my life (chubby kid, fat bride, etc...). I am tired of people judging me from the outside, but it is a definite reality. I do not feel like the same person on the inside as I look like on the outside. When I see photos of myself, it turns my stomach!!! My goal is to be proud of me, be comfortable in my own skin and most of all be HEALTHY!!!!! I go for my pre-op visit today. I don't think my surgeon requires a pre-op diet, but I am going to do it anyway so I can start seeing results and can shrink my stomach somewhat before surgery.

Anthem BC/BS was GREAT!! The letter with all of the necessary information was received by them on a Thursday and I got approval the following Monday!!!! Once I passed that hurdle, I knew it was "All systems go"!!!

Hello ladies and gentlemen: I am scheduled for May 1st and I am very curious about the first month of life with the band!! I know that everyone is different, but I just read a post that kinda scared me. It said that any weight loss the first month after the band is due to sheer determination and willpower. Don't get me wrong, I am motivated and will follow docs instructions to the letter, but is this true? Is there NO restriction in the first month? Your experiences will hopefully answer my questions... Thanks in advance!!! :tongue:

Sharon: Have you tried Greek yogurt? The grocery stores sell it, you just have to look for it. You can get the plain yogurt with 0 fat. It is LOADED with protein!!! 1 cup contains: 0g fat 6g sugar 6g carb 15g protein!!!! You can add a little applesauce or other fruit or sugar free jelly to it and it tasted great!! It is the consistency of sour cream and will fill you up!!!! Give it a try!!!

CT man, you're making great progress!! I'm right behind you with a band date of 5/1. My surgery is at Yale New-Haven hospital. I wanted the Ffld group since I live in Bpt, but they didn't accept my insurance. I go for a pre-op visit today. My surgeon does not require a pre-op diet, but I am doing it anyway with Herbalife..... Can't hurt, right??? Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress!!! :purplebananna: